NEW YORK — Matt Olson had a standout performance with three RBIs, including a critical tiebreaking single that completed a five-run surge in the sixth inning, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 7-4 victory over the faltering New York Mets on Tuesday night.
Spencer Strider (3-5), despite a tough inning, secured his third consecutive win, propelling the Braves as they capitalized on nine walks issued by six Mets pitchers. The Braves, who have triumphed in nine of their last 12 games, boosted their record to 5-0 against the NL East competitor this season — all occurring within the last eight days.
The Mets, after an optimistic showing from Frankie Montas in his debut, squandered a 3-0 lead, culminating in their tenth defeat in 11 games. Montas, sidelined since spring training with a right lat strain, managed five shutout innings with five strikeouts on a sweltering night at Citi Field. However, reliever Huascar Brazobán faltered by walking the first three batters in the sixth, allowing Atlanta to seize the opportunity.
Ozzie Albies initiated the comeback with a sacrifice fly, while left-hander José Castillo (0-2) entered the fray just before a pinch-hitting Eli White drove home a run with an infield single, barely eluding the glove of diving third baseman Brett Baty on a low line drive.
As the game pressed on, Michael Harris II was hit by a pitch, and Nick Allen, the No. 9 batter, tied the score at 3-3 with his third consecutive single, after starting the night with a .556 OPS. Shortly after, Olson solidified the Braves’ lead with a two-run single off Reed Garrett, giving them a 5-3 edge.
Olson, alongside Austin Riley, further extended the advantage with RBI doubles in the eighth inning. Raisel Iglesias notched his ninth save out of 13 chances by securing the last two outs in the ninth inning.
After a challenging beginning to the season, losing five initial starts post-elbow surgery, Strider has found his footing, besting the Mets for the second time in less than a week. He managed eight strikeouts over five innings, allowing only two hits. Despite walking three in a 33-pitch fourth inning where the Mets scored three, their only additional hit came from Jeff McNeil’s double in the ninth.
Towards the end, Iglesias, after conceding an RBI double to Ronny Mauricio, closed the game by getting Francisco Lindor out with two runners on base. Unfortunately, Harris got injured after being hit on the elbow by a 95 mph sinker but is listed as day-to-day.
The sweltering conditions marked the hottest temperature for a Mets home game since it reached 98 degrees against Milwaukee at Shea Stadium in August 2001.
Looking ahead, the Mets aim for redemption with RHP Clay Holmes (7-4, 3.04 ERA) taking the mound against Atlanta’s young talent, Didier Fuentes (0-1, 7.20 ERA), on Wednesday night, who is making just his second major league start.